Load lifting cradle



Sept. 1, 1936.

B. F. FITCH 2,052,559

LOAD LIFT ING- CRADLE Filed Sept. 7, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l a He. 1

Patented Sept. 1, 1936 r TAT E norm LIFTING CRADLE Benjamin F. Fitch, Greenwich1 Conn., assignor to MotorTerminals Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September '7, 1933. Serial No. 688,479

3 Claims. (01. 294-67) by a suitable depending raising mechanism,

whereby the body may be well'supported for lifting while maintained in its level position.

More particularlythe invention is designed to raise demountable bodies having supporting hooks projecting slightly above their eaves, and to that end employs a cradle comprising a floating rectangular frame having shackles or loops pivoted to the frame and depending therefrom, so that they may be swung into and out of, engagement with the hooks.

The object of the present invention is to provide simple and efiective means for swinging the shackles in either direction, such means being readily operable from a convenient adjacent or remote location. To this end I have provided double-acting solenoids, one for eachshackle, the solenoid being adapted to swing the shackle in either directon according to the energization of thejsolenoid, and I have so connected thewindings'of the solenoids with a suitably locatedreversing switch or push buttons that when the switch is thrown in one direction the shackles are swung inwardly to enter themouths of the body hooks, and on the other movement of the switch are swung outwardly to clear the hooks. it The circuits for operating thevarious solenoids simultaneously and correspondingly are collected into a suitable cable, which may depend atthe side or end of the cradle or ina control cab, and the conductors of which are electricallybonnected with a readily accessible reversing switch, or push buttons. t 1

The invention above outlinedis; illustrated in thedrawings hereof and is hereafter more fully explained, and the novel characteri stics are summarized in the claims. ,t

In the drawings, Fig. lis a side elevation of my cradle attached to a demountable-truck body which is being lifted by a hoist attached'to the cradle, this View showing'the electric cable depending at the side of the cradle; Fig.2 is a side elevation'of a demountable body and the cradle detached therefrom but imposition to engage the shackles, this view illustrating the operating cable at the end of the body; Fig, 3 is a plan of the cradle over a body indicated in broken lines and illustrates provision ior"supporting theelectric cable at either the end or side of the cradle; Fig. 4

is a vertical cross-section through the cradle on a larger scale, as indicated by the line 4-4 on Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the inner side of one ofthe longitudinal bars of the cradle, illussectio'nbeing on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 on Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 6 is ahorizontalsection through the solenoid and limit switches op- .5 strating the solenoid operating mechanism, the

erated thereby, as indicated by the section line 10 66 on Fig. 5; Figs. 7 and 8 are diagrams illustrating two different wiring plans for the solenoids, Fig. '7 showing the wiring when limit switches are carried by each solenoid, and Fig. 8

when master limit switches are operated by one 15 solenoid for the benefit of all of them.

Referring first-to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a demountable automobile body adapted to rest on and be carried by either an automobile truck, lighter, car float, barge, steamer or railway flatcar or gondola, as desired. This body is preferably of about the maximum size that can be conveniently carried by a highway truck, trailer or semi-trailer, two or three of such bodies being adapted to be mounted end-to-end" on or inthe railway car. able floor frame, side walls, end walls and roof, and preferably doors in bothsides and both'ends. Two of such side doors are indicated at a in 25 The body is provided with a 'suitthese figures. "Each side of the demountable 3Q body is provided with two upwardly extending supported thereby and depending therefrom.

The frame may be 'inade'up of a pair of longitudinal tubular side bars l0 and a pair of tubular end barsjoinin'g the side bars and weldedor otherwise' secured thereto. There may be intermediate cross-bars or other bracing means, not shown in thedrawings.

The supporting shackles 20 are pivotally carried by the side bars of 'the cradle; these side bars being preferably provided with reinforcing blocks l2, rigidwith the bars adjacent their ends.

These blocks have parallel vertical outersides,

which are substantially engaged by the inner faces of the shackle arms. These arms are supported by horizontal pins 3fl; extending laterally through the longitudinal bars, reinforcing blocks and are rigidly connected to them, as by welding,

and the bolt legs 40 also pass through these stiffening plates and have nuts 44 on their lower ends. This makes a rigid attaching device adjacent the corner of the clamp.

I have shown articulated hog rods 50secured to the loops All and extending diagonally upward toward a common point. Each pair of hog rods may be connected to a ring 5|, which may be hooked over a suitable hoist B, Fig. 1.

Suitable means is preferably provided to guide the cradle as it is lowered to bring the shackles opposite the mouths of the body hooks. Thus, I have shown guide blocks 66 secured to the side bars and depending from'them adjacent each shackle. Each guide block 60 presents a curved wall 6| adapted to engage the back of the hook a2 and a side wall'62 adapted to engage the inner side of the hook, so that the loweredcradle 'is automatically positioned both endwise and sidewise.

The parts so far specifically described are of the general type shown in my pending applications No. 574,743, filed November 13th, 1931, and No. 615,906, filed June 7th, 1932, and referenceis 5 made to the patents to be granted on those. appli cations for claims relatingto the cradle itself.

As heretofore outlined, the present invention is concerned with the means for swinging the shackles 29 on their pivots 30. Such means will now be described.

Carried by eachlongitudinal bar I 0 adjacent theshackle is a hollow. solenoid frame 10 having within it a pair of windings 1 l 12, there being accordingly four of ;;these double solenoids. Longitudinally movable within the windings is the core 80, which is connected with the corre: sponding shackle 20. I have illustrated the solenoidsas, fixedly carried by the frame and the core as operating ona fixed axis. I have shown a link 85.pivoted'at its opposite ends to the core and. to the shackle. Thus the axial movement of the core" is translated into a swinging movement of the shackle and, as hereinafter described,

. this movement may be in either direction accorda ing to which 55.

winding of the solenoid is energized. v Referring more specifically to Fig. 5, the sole noid frame is made up of a-supporting portion 15, adapted to engage the bar It, and be secured thereto by bolts 16, and a pair of oppositely facing metallic cups H in which are located the respective windings 1! and. The cups may be integral with the body or supporting portion, as shown; Each cup is closed at its outer end by a cap 18, which has a central opening making an eifective guide for thecore bar 80.

; The core bar 80 has a central iron portion adapted to respond to the magnetic influence of 4 thewindings and reduced extensions 8| and 82, freadily through the openings in the end caps 18.

whichrn ay be of non-magnetic material and slide Asuitable stop in the form of a collar 83 is shown on the extensionBl. The extension 82 is provided at its end with aneye by which it is pivotally connected to the link 85, the other end .o

I displacement.

which has an eye embracing a stud 2| on the side of one of the arms of the shackle 20.

When the shackle is depending vertically, as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 5, the magnetic core is in the position shown in that figure. Now, if the shackle is free to swing, an energization of the winding II will pull the core toward the left.

in that figure, which would swing the shackle 20 into the position shown in dotted lines at 20a. In this latter position the magnetic core 80 will nearly fill the opening in the winding ll but only the latter winding is exclusively energized the core will be drawn toward the right and the shackle swung back into vertical position.

The four windings 1| adjacent the corresponding shackles are connected to one circuit, and the 7 four windings 12 distant from the corresponding partially in the head of the winding 12, and when shackles to another circuit. Each circuit is connected with one terminal of the power line, while the other terminal of the power line leads to a.

switch or push buttons which may connect it with either of said circuits. Thus the four windings H may be simultaneously energized to the exclusion of the windings ,12, or the windings 12 may be energized to the exclusion of the windings TI.

It is desirable to provide means to open the circuits to the solenoidswhen the shackles reachv either limit of movement, tosave current and prevent possibleinjury to the solenoids. The arrangement-of switches for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 6. As there shown, I have'se'cured to the outer wall 62 of the guide block 69 a bracket carrying two electric switches9l and S2, re spectively, operated by plungers 93'and 94. Each switch is shown as comprising a disc 95 connected torone terminal, with a spring 96eiigaging the disc, and a washer 91 normally held by the spring incontact with the other terminal. The plunger 93 or 94' referred to may separate its Washer, 91

from its terminal and ,thus' break the circuit. p The link 85 is shown as having aboss 86 back of the pivotal connectioniof the core bar, this boss carrying a plunger 87," pressed by a spring'88 toward the body of the bracket 9|]. In either ex! trerne position this plunger B'Irests in a recess 98 or 99 in the bracket 90, and prevents inadvertent When the shackle 20 is in engaging position the solenoid and switches are in the position shown in Fig. 6 and the switch 92 is open. Now if thec'ir' cuit be closed through the solenoidwinding it, this swings the shackle into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. At the end of such movement the boss 86 engages the plunger 93 of the switch 9| and opens that switch, and at the same time the plunger81 enters the bracket recess 99 and the spring 88 has sufficient force to retain the parts in this position, notwithstanding the gravitational tendency of the shackle to swing down to .vertical position. The force of the spring 88 is readily overcome by the force of either solenoid winding, which will swingthe shackle in the directiondesired. 1

While the limit switches above described are I not necessary to the operation of the shackles by the solenoids, and might be dispensed with, if the shackle windings are such that, no dangerous overheating would result if the current were'in advertently left on, nevertheless the automatic limit switches are a distinct advantage in saving current and insuring protection for the solenoids. Suchlimit switches may be provided for each solenoid, as illustrated in the diagram Fig. 7, or a master limit switch operated by one solenoid might, beprovided, as hereinafter described with reference to Fig. 8. j V I In the diagram, Fig. 7,='the four windings -1I ateach end of the frame have" their terminals connected to two lines I98 and NH; thetwo lines I53 are connected by a line I82 with one of the power lines I83, while the two lines IBI] are connected by a line I8 3 leading to the switch terminal I65. Similarly the terminals of the four windings I2 are connected to two lines I86 and Iiil. The limit switches 9| for each of thefour windings adjacent the two ends of the crane are shown as included in series in line Ifil, and the corresponding limit switches 92 in series in the line'ifil.

The lines I95 are intermediately connected to the line IE2" leading ,to the power line I63while the lines Iii'I are both connected to'the line-I88 leading to the other switch terminal I69.

From the other. power line IN], a line III leads to'the switch arm H2.

If the switch arm H2 is brought into contact with the switch point I05 the four windings II are energized and the core bar is moved to swing the four shackles outwardly into the position shown in dotted lines 29a. At this time the winding I2 is unenergized and idle. Now if the switch arm I I2 be swung to engage the terminal I99 the windings II are deenergized and the four windings I2 become energized, thus pulling the core and swinging the shackles into the vertical or load-engaging position illustrated at 29.

When the master limit switch arrangements is employed, as illustrated in the diagram Fig. 8, the control by the switch H2 and the wiring to the respective windings is the same as already described, except that the switches SI and 92 are omitted from the lines IIlI and W1. In place of the switches in those lines I employ a pair of switches SIa between the line I94 and terminal I85, and a switch 92a between the line I08 and the terminal I99. Otherwise the circuits are as described with reference to Fig. 7.

In Fig. Bone of the links 85 carries adjacent its pivotal connection with the core bar an extension 8641 which coacts with the respective switches 95a. and 92a at the opposite limit of the movement. This arrangement is also substantially that illustrated in Fig. 6, but employs only one of the solenoids instead of all four of them. In either arrangement the power tothe four solenoids is shut off as soon as they have performed the work of swinging the shackles in one direction or the other to engage or disengage the load, as desired.

It will be understood that when the cradle is ready for lowering to engage a load, or as it is being lowered, the switch II2 would be set to engage the contact I05 and the windings TI would be energized and the shackles spread. Then after the cradle has come into the position shown in Fig. 2 with its guides 60 engaging the hooks and the shackles opposite the mouths of the hooks, the switch H2 is thrown into engagement with the contact IE9 and this swings the shackles into vertical position within the mouths of the hooks. Thereafter when the hoist raises the cradle, the shackles are raised above the book openings and effectively engage the hooks as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

When it is desired to release the load, it is lowered onto a suitable support, which may be a truck, vessel or car or stationary support, and then the cradle is lowered still further so that the guides rest on the body hooks and the shackles are opposite the mouths of the hooks. Then an actuation of the switch arm II2 into engagement with the terminal I05 swings the freed shackles into the position 28a to clear the hooks, allowing the cradle to be elevated.

The electric lines I02 and II I leading from the power lines' may readily depend by flexible cables or cable reel from some point on the hoist structure to asuitable point on the cradle. The line III and the two lines I04 and I98 from the two sets of solenoid windings are preferably grouped into a threestrand' cable which depends fromthe cradle'and carries the switch at its lower end In Fig. 1 I have shown the three-strand cable I28 depending at the side of the cradle beyond the automobile body, being carried by a laterally extending bracket I 2i on one of the side bars It). The cable carries a suitable insulating casing I22; which supports the terminals of the three conductors, one of these terminals being the movable switch arm I I2 adapted to contact with either the terminals I05 or I09. As indicated in Fig. 1, the insulating block I22 carries a laterally sliding push-pin I23, which may swing the switch arm in either direction.

Instead of the cable I20 depending at the side I may, if desired, employ a cable I38, depending at the end of the frame, being supported by a longitudinal extension I3I the cable in this case carrying the insulating Easing I32, containing the terminals and the switch arm and carrying the double acting push-button I33. Or, if desired, the pendant control may be in cluster with other pendant controls of the hoisting mechanism, or in the cab of a traveling crane or gantry if such be employed.

It will be seen from the description given that the common actuator for the four solenoids may be at whatever point is most convenient, or if desired, there could be several points of actuation arranged by branch lines from the three control lines described. Thus, each hoisting mechanism and cradle may be readily arranged most conveniently for the work it is to perform.

With my double acting solenoid it is not necessary to rely on counterweights or springs to swing the shackles in one direction or the other, but the movements are positive both into active and idle positions. The solenoids are comparatively inexpensive and may be readilymounted on the cradle structure, and are so arranged as to be weather-proof. These solenoids, together with their accessible common actuator, provide an engaging and disengaging system which may be operated with the maximum speed, so that the cradle may drop into position and immediately engage the body and the hoist lift it, or the cradle may be immediately freed from a deposited body, and its shackles are thus automatically in position for re-engagement.

I claim:

1. In a hoisting mechanism for demountable bodies, said mechanism comprising a suspensible cradle, having parallel interconnected side bars, load-engaging members pivotally depending from the bars near their ends, and rigid guiding devices depending from the bars longitudinally inwardly toward the center of the frame from the load-engaging members, and adapted to substantially operatively align the load-engaging members with cooperating means on the body to be lifted, the combination of electrically operable units, operatively connected with the load-engaging members to position them with reference to respective ones of said means on the 2; In a hoist having a suspensible rectangular frame and four load-engaging members pivotally carried by the frame in rectangular arrangement, the combination of four solenoids mounted on the frame, each having its core connect 7 ed with acorresponding load-engaging member,

- circuits leading from the solenoids and connected with a source of power, and with a depending electric cable, said frame having a lateral extension thereon for supporting the cable'so that it depends beyond the region of the body to be engaged, and switch mechanism on the depending portion of the cable to energize the solenoid.

3. 'In a hoist having a suspensible frame and a plurality of load-engaging members pivoted thereto, each adapted to; operatively engage av complementary member on a ;load to be lifted,

when in one position of the pivoted member; and

to operatively disengage the same when in another position; the combination of a pair of solenoids associated with one of the pivoted members, core means therefor connected with said member to move the same into said two positions consequent upon energization of respective ones of said-pair; means to supply electric energy .to the respective solenoids, switch means therefor, operatively connected with the core means for operation thereby to cutoff such energy to the acting solenoid when said means has moved the pivotedrme mber to respective ones of said positions, and detent means operatively associated with the said pivoted member to hold it in one of said positions when said energy' is out oiT.

BENJAMIN F. FITCH; 20 

